If she had not been an actress, she would have liked to become a singer.

Cousin of Laurent Cotillard.

Co-wrote and performed song "La Fille De Joie" for her film "Les Jolies Choses". Also performed song "La Conne" for this film.

The first leading lady to receive the best actress Oscar for a non-English speaking role since Sophia Loren in 1962 for Ciociara, La (1960).

Has two younger brothers: Guillaume and Quentin, they are identical twins (born on 6 November 1977).

She's an ecologist.

Companion of her Jeux d'enfants (2003) co-star Guillaume Canet since 2007.

French citizen.

Spokesperson for Greenpeace. Is also one of several actors, singers, and designers involved in "Dessins pour le climat," an album project originated by Greenpeace and Glénat, available for sale beginning April 2005 (all proceeds to go to Greenpeace).

Is one of five performers to win an Oscar playing a character that mostly spoke in a foreign language. The other are Sophia Loren, Robert De Niro, Roberto Benigni and Benicio Del Toro.

Her brother Guillaume is a writer.

Her brother Quentin works as a sculptor, living in San Francisco, California with his Irish-American wife Elaine O'Mailly Cotillard, a former Dutch National Ballet dancer and fashion designer.

Had to learn how to sing in one month to play Marie in Jolies choses, Les (2001).

Is a member of Greenpeace.

Having won the Best Actress Oscar for Môme, La (2007) on 24 February 2008, she has become the third French actress to do so. The others are Claudette Colbert for It Happened One Night (1934) and Simone Signoret for Room at the Top (1959).

Grew up in Orléans.

Being a huge fan of Canadian singer Hawksley Workman, she starred in two of his clips.

Moved to Paris at the age of 16.

Is the third actress to win the Best Actress Oscar for portraying a female singer in a biography; the first being Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner's Daughter (1980) and the second Reese Witherspoon as June Carter in Walk the Line (2005).

Is good friends with Élodie Navarre.

Born to Jean-Claude Cotillard, an actor and teacher, and his wife Niseema Theillaud, also actress and drama teacher.